Developing your critical writing
Writing at postgraduate level is difficult. You have to demonstrate your knowledge, be critical and give your expert opinion
whilst sticking to your word limit and hand in on time! And when you have multiple assignments due, it can become difficult
to meet and maintain the standards required for postgraduate work. Below is a list of do’s and don’ts for postgraduate
writing; common pitfalls that most students make at some point in their academic career. The list is not exhaustive or
subject specific, but does give you pointers on how to avoid general mistakes.
What to
include
How to do it
Do
Answer the question. Keep referring back to the title,
mentally and in your work
Contextualise. Give your reader necessary background only
Outline, trace or summarise briefly any data or detail
Define your terms, the problem etc.
Show processes in a logical order
Explain subtle points and finer details
Be precise: clear direct and to the point. Be concise: distil
what you say to its essences in your communicating
Use definite, subject-specific, concrete language. Be
consistent when using terms or explain if you need a
different usage.
Use signposting language to help the reader follow your
argument
Emphasise important points by giving them prime position in
sentences or paragraphs
Give specific and appropriate examples to illustrate the
points you make
Do not
Forget the title/question set. Not answering the correct
question is the quickest way to lose marks
Tell the reader everything you know about the topic
Include superfluous details, data etc.
Tip-toe around the issue or be unspecific or vague or general
Muddle everything together
Repeat or over-explain
Be vague or waffle or include information that doesn’t help
answer the question (i.e. this is interesting but not relevant)
Use loaded or deliberately emotive language. Generally,
colloquial expressions and phrases are not used in academic
writing
Assume the reader knows how you think or why you are
including certain information. Instead tell them explicitly why it
is relevant, what it shows and why it is important
Bury key points in the middle or end of sentences
Leave the reader hanging, instead explain your point then give a
specific example stating how it is relevant
University of Edinburgh ● IAD www.ed.ac.uk/iad/postgraduates
Adapted from Learnhigher under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0
Show your reading and knowledge base by citing and
referencing up to date and appropriate references
Develop your argument to reflect your actual reading and
research
Analyse and discuss issues, looking at pros/cons,
strengths/weaknesses, patterns/trends, connections and
complexities
Aim to propose a convincing theory/conclusion with some
input of your own derived from your own research/reading
Anticipate and account for weaknesses in your own
argument rather than leave them for your reader to criticise.
Pointing out your own faults will show thoroughness
Comment/pass judgement, giving a reasoned opinion based
on sound evidence
Consider and evaluate others’ ideas, whether they align with
yours or not
Reject and refute others’ theories if you find them
unconvincing after thorough research
Make recommendations according to the results of your
study and findings
Copy and paste from text books, articles etc.
Refer to anything you have not read yourself. You don’t know if
you/someone else has understood or interpreted the
information correct or in what context it might be being used in
Decide what to think first and then twist facts or be selective
when using references. Instead consider the whole
topic/subject/argument
Make assumptions and unproven generalisations, especially
from only anecdotal evidence or personal experience
Rely solely on other people’s work and conclusions
Ignore or overlook faulty logic or gaps in your own or others’
work
Write descriptive and repetitious comments rather than giving
an opinion
Ignore opposing arguments, this will weaken your own
Agree with or unquestioningly accept information, argument,
theory etc. of others’ just because they seem like an
authoritative source
Preach or rant at your reader, no one likes being told what to
do. Instead present them with a logical argument and
convincing examples to persuade them
University of Edinburgh ● IAD www.ed.ac.uk/iad/postgraduates
Adapted from Learnhigher under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0